aceonbass wrote:This 2003 4004Cii has been modified in the following ways: The frets were pulled and the slots were filled with white plastic cut out of sheet to the same radius as the board so they would never lift. The board was then painted with a thin, clear epoxy to seal it, but it still feels natural and not plasticy. The rear control cavity opening was routed to conform to the same shape as the cover to provide better access. The bridge pickup route was filled with a maple block, followed by new routes for a middle and bridge pickup. The top was routed to allow for a new electronics layout. The bridge pickup is wired straight to the upper volume and tone, while the middle and neck pickup are wired to the selector switch and then to a volume and tone like a standard 4004. The bass is wired in stereo with a jumper between two terminals to make it mono. This can be removed to allow stereo use again. I used all RIC suppied electronics except for the .047 Orange Drop caps. The pots were the last of the real 500K pots before RIC went to 330K. The black acrylic guard is cut to resemble a 4002 guard with pickps in the same positions. The covers on the stock HB1 pickups have been opened up to allow for better string exposure for the B and G strings. Since the covers are made of brass (which is non-magnetic) it may not make a difference, but it looks better this way. The tailpiece is a standard 4000 series part that has had the mute housing removed, been modified for 5-string use and re-plated. The bridge is CNC'd aluminum and is fitted with stock RIC bass saddles offset cut to allow for much greater spacing, at 15.25mm, than a 4003S/5 bass. The intonation is adjusted from the front via Allen wrench. The bridge heighth adjustment screws are larger gauge and extend through the tailpiece and into the body 1/4" for greater sustain and stability since it can't tip backward now. The nut is the stock nut which has been filled with epoxy and re-slotted. The spacing varies slightly from string to string center to allow for equal space BETWEEN the strings, but it averages about 9mm. The tuners are large shaft Schaller BML Lites which allow for plenty of spacing between the tuner keys which stick straight out from the headstock and are not canted at an angle to clear each other. All of the usual gold plated Cii hardware has been replaced with chrome hardware, including the jack plate. The strings are D'Addario ENR71-5 half rounds. Although nearly as smooth as flat wounds, the tone can be quite brite and crunchy, or very resonant like a double bass, if need be. I set it up like a fretless should be with about 1mm of action at the nut and 3-4mm at the edge of the fingerboard, and dead flat.
wow-these triple pickup ric basses are blowing my mind! so joshua,3 toasters? it looks great,but maybe an hb1 somewhere in there would give you more tonal options esp since you went with individual volume controls? i really love the overall look of your custom bass-it is interesting to see the 4001 without the iconic chrome pickup assembly.
I call this the "4003LK". It's inspired by a couple of Lemmy's more well known Ricks. It started out as a beat '88 JetGlo 4003 that I got from Kenny H. in a trade. It has a sanded, oiled, and waxed finish. The top's been routed for the plexi Motorhead logo and pickguard I made. The logo is raised a bit, while the guard is flush with the top. The sound is very brite with a lot of bottom end and a bit of a notch in the mid frequencies that I attribute to the large cavity under the guard that I routed to remove as much material as possible to lighten it up. I found the Lemmy signature strap on Ebay.
Volume for the bridge pickup and a selector switch and volume for the middle and neck pickups. The bridge pickup is always hot, but the volume control can be used to blend it with the other two. The ROS is still fully functional with the bridge pickup on one channel and the other two on the other.
i like it! from here on out it will be considered whiskyglo.
I'll take this time to thank eric again for doing such a great job refinishing the bass. when i bought the bass in 1999 it was jetglo and then a few years back had it refinished.
